I have been sitting back. I have been listening. I have been watching. Ever since the callous, unnecessary, cowardly murder of Charlie Kirk, I sat back in disbelief, astonishment and anger. I was not sure what to do. I was uncertain as to what to say. I did know that this is a matter that cannot be ignored, nor should we hide our eyes as though nothing has happened. All I know is that a man, innocent of any crime, was killed by reason of the hatred of a hateful and depraved individual.

     I am also forced to make a necessary juxtaposition. You see, depending on who might be killed, no matter the reason, there is marching in the streets. Some take to the streets in “protests.” Rioting becomes the order of the day. Chants of “no justice, no peace” begin to reverberate across damaged and dirty streets while the allies of destruction hold to the ringing of the hollow sentiments. The pretenses of unity reverberate throughout the media as though the media holds the most upright standards of all.

     Frankly, I never followed Mr. Kirk. I was familiar with his work. I am very aware of what he did. I was just not a big fan of the way he did it. Yet, what he did, standing for the Gospel, engaging in academic debate, dissenting when necessary and providing support of one’s point of view. He stood strong on his points without being condescending. He was bold and unrelenting. While Kirk was an apologist for the Gospel, he did not and would not apologize for his stance. He stood for freedom while fighting for the freedom of the Word of God supported by the Constitution.

     Yet, this man was killed. This man was assassinated. This man was pulled from his family. They will never again sit at the dining room table for Sunday dinner. The wife of Mr. Kirk will spend many lonely nights crying because the one to whom she pledged her life is no longer with her. The kids might walk down a difficult road of healing. They will never come to fully understand their father. Their lives will continue with an emptiness that can be filled by no one other than their father, the one who died while walking in freedom.

     Even so, there are those who will quickly declare that there are no attacks on Christians and Christianity. With those declarations, the planned, insidious murder of the youthful Mr. Kirk was carried out. The aftermath of the murder showed many hateful words suggesting that this man deserved to die. Yet, this is a man who harmed no one. This man, Charlie Kirk, served by standing and speaking and through that speaking some, perhaps many, were healed. Because of this, I am angered. I am hurt. Righteous indignation is part of my present mantra. Yet, I bid no harm to anyone, not even the weak-kneed one who took his life.

     I am still watching. I am still listening. The supporters of Mr. Kirk have yet to take to the streets. There are no protesters with banners stopping traffic on the highways surrounding Utah Valley University. There are no riots. No buildings are burning because of the protests of his supporters. Cars have not been overturned. There is the absence of chanting supporters crying, “No justice, no peace.” I also have yet to hear anyone bemoaning the separations of families. Moreover, there have been no threats to public officials because of this most callous action. And, there should not be.

     The fact of the matter is that Christians have not been called to an easy life. We are to endure trials and tribulations. Even so, we can be of good cheer because Christ has overcome the world. We are going to be lied to and lied on. As Christians, some will defame our names. This is because our common enemy seeks to destroy the Church. Yet, when Christ was crucified, there was no splintering of the disciples. They gathered and the Church was birthed with many being healed. With this, we can see Christ was an example of what will happen to some who follow Him. His disciples will not have an easy walk but that the end will present victory.

     It does not matter if we agree or disagree with Charlie Kirk. He was a human being. His soul was precious in the eyes of the Lord. His life was snuffed out unjustly. It is for this reason that I can no longer hold my peace. It is for this reason that I speak with a trembling voice of strength against all those who seek to harm my fellow Christians. As I am watching and listening, so is God. And, while I make no threats to anyone, be sure to know your sins will find you out.